If your EFTPOS terminal goes down mid-service or your team queues at a single counter during a rush, you already know the cost of a rigid payment setup.
Flex payments let you accept contactless card and wallet tap payments on tablets and POS screens that are NFC-enabled, without needing an extra terminal for every service point. For retail, hospitality, events, and mobile vendors in Australia and New Zealand, that means faster service, fewer abandoned sales, and a practical backup when EFTPOS hardware fails.
This post covers what flex payments mean for merchants, how it works from tap to settlement, what it costs, and what to check before you enable it at your venue.
Flex payments let you take tap-and-go card and wallet payments on devices your team already uses, such as tablets or POS screens. There’s no need to buy a separate terminal for every counter or table. With cardholders making 166 million transactions across all industries in June 2025 alone, the volume of card payments your venue needs to handle reliably has never been higher.
In a merchant context, flex payments means you accept contactless card and wallet payments on an everyday NFC-enabled device instead of a dedicated EFTPOS terminal. The device reads the tap, then sends the payment for approval like a normal EFTPOS sale.
The technology behind it is NFC, the short-range signal that powers tap-and-go. When NFC is active on your tablet or POS screen, the customer taps their card or phone on the device to pay. This is the core of software-based payments, so you can accept payWave without a terminal at that service point.
Flex payments is a second way to take card payments that runs beside your current setup, not a full replacement for it. Most venues keep their EFTPOS terminal at the main counter and add flex payments where they need more reach, such as a tablet for table service or queue relief, or a backup device for any EFTPOS outages.
One such system is Paysuite Flex, supplied by POSrite, which turns your POS screen, tablet, or NFC device into a payment tool with reduced merchant rates and same-night settlement. It acts as a backup or extension to your existing terminals, works on everyday devices like tablets and POS screens, and is perfect for table service, queue relief, and handling outages.
The flow is simple once it’s set up. The whole point is fewer steps for your team and a clear, quick tap for the customer.
Paysuite Flex offers same-night settlement, so your money lands sooner. Ask any provider about their settlement timing and cut-off times before you commit.
Device-based payments don’t replace your POS or your EFTPOS terminal. They sit alongside them as another lane you can open when you need it. Because each sale ties to your POS, NFC payments for merchants cut manual steps at close and make end-of-day balancing easier to trust.
Flex payments suit any venue where staff move around or queues build at one point.
For cafés, restaurants, and bars, you can turn a tablet into a payment device alongside your table map. Staff take payment at the table or at the time of order, which stops costly unpaid tabs and cuts trips back to the counter. Tablet payments for restaurants keep the line moving during a full service.
In retail, a tablet or second screen lets a team member take taps away from the main till. This helps reduce queues at the POS when the after-work or weekend rush hits. It also suits pop-up counters, aisle service, and click-and-collect handovers where a fixed terminal is awkward. It also reduces the risk of an integrated EFTPOS terminal losing connectivity with your tablet.
Markets, food trucks, and event bars often trade in spots with patchy signal and fast changeovers. Flex payments lets you run more than one device, so one stays charged while another keeps trading.
| Scenario | Venue type | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-at-table | Restaurants, bars | Stops unpaid tabs, faster turns |
| Queue relief | Retail, cafés | More lanes at peak |
| On-the-move sales | Events, mobile | Portable, multi-device |
A short check before go-live prevents the problems that show up in week two.
Confirm each tablet or POS screen has NFC and supports tap to pay for business. Check the operating system version, battery health, and whether a case blocks the tap area. Keep at least one spare device charged for your busiest period.
Set up your POS so each payment matches the right order. Decide when staff take payment, at order, at table, or at pickup, and set surcharge and tip rules so the amount is clear before the tap.
Train your team on three actions:
If staff can do these without a manager, your peak periods stay calm. Sort out flex payments login access so managers can view totals, process refunds, and reach support quickly.
A low headline rate can still cost more once add-on fees are counted. Ask for the full fees schedule in writing before you commit.
| Fee Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Merchant rate | Cost per transaction for debit, Visa, and Mastercard |
| Platform fee | Any monthly cost for the flex feature |
| Handling fees | Costs for refunds, chargebacks, and disputes |
| Exit fees | Minimum monthly charges or early cancellation costs |
| Device rental | Costs if you keep physical terminals as well |
Ask when funds reach your bank on a normal weekday and what changes on weekends or public holidays. Check that reports show flex and terminal totals clearly so close-off stays simple. Confirm customer service hours and the support phone number before you sign. When payments stop mid-service, how fast you reach a person matters more than the rate.
EFTPOS terminals tend to fail at the worst moment. Flex payments gives you an EFTPOS backup solution so you can keep taking payments while you sort the issue.
Keep Paysuite Flex enabled on a second device that stays charged and signed in. If the main terminal freezes, staff switch to the backup in seconds and trade continues.
A merchant-grade payment app doesn’t store full card numbers on the device. Payment card data is protected by a built-in security chip and isn’t visible to your tablet or POS screen, so it handles the tap securely and uses references for receipts and refunds. You should still lock screens, control user access, and keep devices updated.
Simple staff rules cut chargeback and dispute risk:
| Staff Rule | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Confirm the amount before the tap | Prevents overcharging and customer disputes |
| Use a linked refund process | Ensures money goes back to the correct original card |
| Check the response before retrying | Stops accidental double-charging on declined taps |
| Tick the sale in your POS | Keeps your end-of-day balancing accurate |
These habits prevent missed or duplicated payments and keep your records clean.
Flex payments speed up service and give you a reliable backup when a terminal drops. For busy AU and NZ venues, that means shorter queues, fewer unpaid tabs, and less downtime risk.
Before you switch on, confirm your devices support NFC, your fees and settlement timing suit your cash flow, and your staff can take and refund a payment without a manager. Hospitality, retail, events, and mobile traders gain the most from device-based tap-to-pay.
POSrite supplies, configures, trains, and supports Paysuite Flex as part of complete merchant solutions. You get a right-fit setup and help that sticks around after go-live.
Ready to add flex payments to your venue? Get in touch, configure your setup, and get ready for faster checkouts.
Flex payments lets merchants accept contactless card and wallet taps on a tablet or POS screen using NFC. Platforms like Paysuite Flex turn an everyday device into a payment tool, so you can accept payWave without a dedicated EFTPOS terminal at that service point.
Staff confirm the total in the POS, the amount shows on the device, and the customer taps to pay. The payment goes for authorisation, an approval returns, a receipt is issued, and funds settle.
Expect a merchant rate per transaction plus any platform or monthly fee. You’ll also need to check refund, chargeback, and early exit fees. Always confirm settlement timing and surcharging rules, and compare the full cost picture rather than the headline rate alone.
Yes, when set up correctly with locked devices, controlled user access, and clear staff rules. The best backup plan is a second charged device running Paysuite Flex, so your team keeps trading if the main EFTPOS terminal fails during a rush.
You need an NFC-capable device and a merchant account. You’ll also need staff trained on taking payments and processing refunds, plus a support contact to manage any flex issues that may arise.
